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Thursday, 31 December 2009

Deptford's silent new year (2)

The silent bells of St Nicholas, Deptford did not go unnoticed by its parishioners. In less than a fortnight, a meeting had been convened; even in the summary of resolutions, its lively nature is apparent.

At a Meeting of the Parishioners of the Parish of St. Nicholas, Deptford, in the County of Kent, in Vestry, in the Vestry Room of the said Parish, on Thursday, the 12th day of January, 1837, held pursuant to Public Notice given in church, on Sunday last:---

RESOLVED --- That the Vestry having duly considered all the circumstances attending the prevention of the Bells being permitted to Ring upon some recent occasions, by the Church Warden, Mr. GODWIN, --- do not conceive there was an adequate ground to warrant such interference.RESOLVED --- That it is the Opinion of this Vestry, that the Church Warden, Mr. GODWIN, having of his own authority and responsibility caused to be carried away the Bell Ropes to his own House, so as to preclude the adopting of the Ancient Custom of Ringing in and out the Old and New Year, was highly injudicious and dissatisfactory to this Parish, and that it is the opinion of this Vestry, that such a procedure should not be made a precedent upon any future occasion.RESOLVED --- That the Resolutions upon this subject be printed and circulated throughout the Parish.RESOLVED --- That a Copy of these Resolutions be sent to Mr. GODWIN, by the Vestry Clerks.RESOLVED --- That the Thanks of this Vestry be and they are hereby given to Mr. GODFREY HILL, the Church Warden and CHAIRMAN of this Meeting, for his spirited and judicious conduct upon this subject, and his impartiality in the Chair.